Attempted rape at Northside Park in Gainesville

Published: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 9:25 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 9:25 a.m.

A woman retrieving a racquetball at Northside Park in Gainesville on Thursday night was cut in the arm and thigh in an attempted sexual battery, Gainesville Police Department Lt. Jorge Campos said.

The incident occurred about 7:30 p.m. in the park at 5701 NW 34th Blvd., according to GPD.

A ball was hit over the wall, and when the woman went to get it a man knocked her to the ground and attempted to remove her pants, Campos said.

She was cut in the upper arm and thigh before a passing car scared the man off, police said.

The extent of her injuries was not available.

The attacker was described as a 30- to 35-year-old, 5-foot-10 to 5-foot-11 black man with his hair in one- to two-inch braids or twists, according to GPD.

The assailant was said to be clean-shaven with a mole on the right of his nose, discoloration on the left side of his face and bushy eyebrows. The man had a tattoo on his left forearm.

He had a deep voice.

At the time of the attack, police say he was wearing an orange football-type jersey with the number “01” on the front and a design on the back, baggy black pants, black and silver Nike shoes and a black hat. He was carrying a flashlight, police said.

<p>A woman retrieving a racquetball at Northside Park in Gainesville on Thursday night was cut in the arm and thigh in an attempted sexual battery, Gainesville Police Department Lt. Jorge Campos said.</p><p>The incident occurred about 7:30 p.m. in the park at 5701 NW 34th Blvd., according to GPD.</p><p>A ball was hit over the wall, and when the woman went to get it a man knocked her to the ground and attempted to remove her pants, Campos said.</p><p>She was cut in the upper arm and thigh before a passing car scared the man off, police said.</p><p>The extent of her injuries was not available.</p><p>The attacker was described as a 30- to 35-year-old, 5-foot-10 to 5-foot-11 black man with his hair in one- to two-inch braids or twists, according to GPD.</p><p>The assailant was said to be clean-shaven with a mole on the right of his nose, discoloration on the left side of his face and bushy eyebrows. The man had a tattoo on his left forearm.</p><p>He had a deep voice.</p><p>At the time of the attack, police say he was wearing an orange football-type jersey with the number “01” on the front and a design on the back, baggy black pants, black and silver Nike shoes and a black hat. He was carrying a flashlight, police said.</p>